Double Impatiens plant named `Golden Surprise`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Double Impatiens plant named `Golden Surprise`, characterized by its unique and stable light green to light yellow and green variegated foliage; light purple to white and bright purple bi-colored flowers; consistently double and symmetrical flower form; numerous flowers per plant; freely branching, dense and bushy plant habit; low-growing, outwardly spreading to cascading, and mounded plant habit; suitable for hanging baskets and patio containers; and excellent landscape performance.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of DoubleImpatiens plant, botanically known as Impatiens walleriana, andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name Golden Surprise.

The new cultivar is a spontaneous branch mutation of the Impatienswalleriana cultivar Blueberry Swirl (not patented). The new cultivar wasdiscovered and selected by the inventor in a controlled environment inDevon Meadows, Victoria, Australia in 1991, as a mutation of the morevigorous and solid green leaf-colored cultivar Blueberry Swirl. Asexualreproduction of the new cultivar by terminal cuttings taken at DevonMeadows, Victoria, Australia, has shown that the unique features of thisnew Double Impatiens are stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of `Golden Surprise`. Thesecharacteristics in combination distinguish the new Double Impatiens as anew and distinct cultivar:

1. Unique and stable light green to light yellow and green variegatedfoliage.

2. Unique light purple to white and bright purple bi-colored flowers.

3. Consistently double and symmetrical flower form. 4. Numerous flowersper plant.

5. Freely branching, dense and bushy plant habit.

6. Low-growing, outwardly spreading to cascading, and mounded planthabit, suitable for hanging baskets and patio containers.

7. Excellent landscape performance.

The new Double Impatiens has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly withvariations in environment such as temperature and light level, without,however, any variance in genotype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceand flower color of the new Double Impatiens, showing the colors as trueas it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of thistype.

The photograph at the top of the sheet comprises a top perspective viewof a typical plant of the Double Impatiens.

The photograph at the bottom of the sheet comprises a close-up view oftypical leaves and flowers of the new Double Impatiens. Flower andfoliage colors in the photographs may appear different from the actualcolors due to light reflectance.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements, values, and comparisonsdescribe plants grown under outdoor production conditions in 16.5-cmcontainers in Keller, Tex., in full and partial shade during the summer.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used.

Botanical classification: Impatiens walleriana cultivar Golden Surprise.

Parentage: Spontaneous branch mutation of Impatiens walleriana cultivarBlueberry Swirl (not patented).

Propagation:

Type cutting.--Terminal cuttings.

Time to initiate roots.--Summer: About 7 days at a temperature of 15° C.Winter: About 14 days at a temperature of 10° C.

Rooting habit.--Numerous, strong, fine, and freely-branching.

Plant description:

Form.--Low-growing, outwardly spreading to cascading, and mounded planthabit. Freely branching, dense and bushy growth. Flowers face upright oroutward.

Usage.--Suitable for 10 to 25-cm containers; recommended for hangingbaskets and patio containers; excellent garden performance.

Vigor.--Moderate and moderate growth rate.

Plant height.--About 10 cm.

Plant spread.--About 50 cm.

Branching habit.--Freely branching with numerous lateral branches,branches very strong and flexible.

Lateral branches.--Length: About 19 cm. Diameter: About 8 mm. Internodelength: About 1.7 cm. Color: Translucent, light green, close to 144C,with numerous red-purple, 59A, spots and streaks.

Foliage description.--Leaves simple, generally symmetrical, abundant,alternate, and flat in aspect. Length: About 4 cm. Width: About 3.2 cm.Shape: Broadly ovate with acuminate apex, cuneate base and crenatemargin. Texture: Smooth. Color: Light green to light yellow and greenvariegated leaves; green at center with light green/light yellow atmargin. Actual shape and size of yellow and green areas is variable.Young leaves, upper surface: Yellow areas: 11C to light green, 146C.Green areas: 146A/144A. Young leaves, lower surface: Yellow areas: 10Cto light green. Green areas: Close to 146A/146B with red (dulled 178A)spots/blotches. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Yellow areas:10C/10D/11B/11C/11D. Green areas: Close to 147A/147B and lighter greenareas, 147C. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Yellow areas:11B/11C/11D to light green. Green areas: Close to 147B with red (dulled178A) spots/blotches. Venation, upper surface: Similar to leaf surfacecolor, 146A/147A/147B, iridescent. Venation, lower surface: 146A.Petiole: Length: About 2.75 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm. Color: Very lightgreen to white.

Flower description:

Flower type and habit.--Light purple to white and bright purplebi-colored flowers, very iridescent. Consistently double and symmetricalflowers. Freely and continuously flowering. Flower buds open similar toa rose in fullness. Flowers arise from leaf axils, terminal bud openingfirst. Usually three or four flowers per lateral branch. Flowers faceupright or outward. Flowers self-cleaning.

Time to flower.--Flowering generally commences four to six weeks afterplanting.

Flowering season.--Year-round under greenhouse conditions. In thegarden, flowering is continuous from spring until fall.

Flower diameter.--About 3.5 cm.

Flower depth (height).--About 2 cm.

Flower buds.--Length: About 1.2 cm. Diameter: About 9 mm. Shape: Ovoid.Color: Purple, 64A, and light pink, 65D.

Petals/petaloids.--Quantity: Numerous, typically more than 15. Length:About 1.75 cm. Width: About 1.4 cm. Shape: Obovate with rounded apex,cuneate base and entire margin. Texture: Satiny, smooth. Color: Lightpurple to white and bright purple bi-colored. Actual shape and size oflight purple to white and bright purple areas is variable. Center andbase of petals are typically purple; white areas are typically locatedat apex and margins. When opening, upper surface: Very iridescent, lightpurple, 75A/75B/75C, to white, and bright purple, 67A. When opening,lower surface: Very iridescent, light purple, 75A/75B/75C, to white, andbright purple, 67A. Mature, upper surface: Very iridescent, lightpurple, 75A/75B/75C, to white, and bright purple, 67A. Mature, lowersurface: Very iridescent, light purple, 75A/75B/75C, to white, andbright purple, 67B.

Spur.--Length: About 2.5 cm. Shape: Narrow and curved. Color: Initiallygreen, close to 144A, becoming light purple, close to 75C.

Peduncles.--Length: About 2.25 cm. Angle: Upright to outwardly arching.Strength: Moderate, flexible. Color: Glossy, translucent, light green.

Reproductive organs.--None observed. Under optimal flowering conditions,reproductive organs are not observed as these structures develop intosterile petaloids. Without the development of functional reproductiveorgans, pollination and subsequent seed production are not observed.

Disease resistance: Under commercial conditions, resistance to pathogenshas not been observed.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Double Impatiens plant named`Golden Surprise`,